The Kaipher Editorial Team 
Elon Musk’s Neuralink just hit a major milestone. The company announced that 12 people worldwide now have its brain implant, a significant leap from just seven reported in June. This growth isn’t just happening in the U.S., either. Neuralink recently expanded into Canada, performing its first international surgeries and marking a key step in its global ambitions.
So, what’s it actually like to live with one? Ask Noland Arbaugh, the first patient. For him, the technology has been life-changing. After losing movement below his shoulders, he can now browse the internet, study, and play games using only his mind. Surgeons also report that the learning curve is incredibly fast, with new patients controlling a cursor within minutes.
The pace of the clinical trial is impressive. Neuralink has nearly quadrupled its patient count since the start of 2025. Fueled by $650 million in new funding, the company is expanding trials to the UK and UAE. The goal is to implant another 20 to 30 people by the end of the year, showing just how quickly they intend to scale.
Of course, the technology is still experimental and has challenges. Arbaugh’s implant had an issue where 85% of its threads detached from his brain. But here’s the amazing part: the device kept working, and he remains overwhelmingly positive about the results, highlighting the system’s resilience.
At its core, the implant works by “listening” to the brain’s electrical signals for movement and translating them into digital commands. A key advantage is that Neuralink’s device is completely wireless. This freedom from external cables is crucial for practical, everyday use, making the experience feel far more natural.
